Prompt
/prɒmpt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo encourage or assist someone to speak or act; to cause something to happen.
/prɒmpt/
To cause or encourage (someone) to do something.
The coach prompted the team to work harder.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and someone gives you a hint to help you. That's what prompting is! It's like a little nudge to get you going.
👶 For kids: To help someone do something or say something.
More Examples
The speaker prompted the audience to ask questions.
Her parents prompted her to apologize.
How It's Used
"The teacher prompted the student to answer the question."
"The software prompted the user to save the file."
A cue; a reminder; a signal to initiate an action.
/prɒmpt/
A signal or cue to encourage an action or response.
The teacher gave the students a prompt for their essay.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at your computer, and something pops up on the screen asking you to type something. That's a prompt – it's a little message telling you what to do.
👶 For kids: A little reminder to do something or say something.
More Examples
The software's prompt helped the user navigate the program.
The stage manager provided the actor with a prompt when he forgot his lines.
How It's Used
"The actor forgot his lines and needed a prompt from the stage manager."
"The system displayed a prompt asking the user to enter their password."
Done without delay; quick to act or respond.
/prɒmpt/
Ready and quick to act or respond.
He was prompt in paying his bills.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're always on time to school or ready to answer a question. That means you are prompt!
👶 For kids: Being ready and fast to do something.
More Examples
The delivery service was prompt.
She gave a prompt response to the emergency.
How It's Used
"She was always prompt in responding to emails."
"The company offered prompt service to its customers."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
on the prompt side
Quick and efficient.
"The service was on the prompt side, and we were impressed."
From Latin *promptus* meaning 'ready, visible, at hand,' from *promere* 'to bring forth'.
The word has been used in both its noun and verb forms for several centuries, dating back to the 16th century, reflecting its core meaning of readiness and urging.
Memory tip
Think of a stagehand prompting an actor: giving them cues.